Wife says cyclist husband’s death in police crash will ‘leave a profound void’
The wife of a ‘devoted father’ who was killed by a police car while he cycled through central London said her heart is ‘completely broken’ by his death.
David Clark, 35, died after being hit by a marked Metropolitan Police car in Southwark on Wednesday.
The drivers of the vehicle stopped to deliver first aid, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
David, an Australian national who was living in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, leaves behind his wife Celene Clark and their seven-month-old daughter.
Celene said her husband was ‘not a headline, a statistic, or a passing news story’.
She continued: ‘My heart is completely broken.
‘He was a loving husband, a devoted father to our baby daughter, a son, a brother, and a deeply cherished friend.
‘His death has left a profound and lasting void in our lives.’
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation and confirmed it was reviewing CCTV and body-worn video footage to determine the details of the incident.
In a statement, it said police are investigating the ‘circumstances of a fatal road incident in Southwark on January 7, where a pedestrian sadly died in a collision with a Met Police vehicle’.
It added: ‘The pedestrian has been formally identified as David Clark, aged 35.
‘Mr Clark was an Australian national who lived in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire.
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‘A post-mortem has been carried out, and we are awaiting a date for the inquest opening.’
The IOPC said the incident happened just after 12.30am, when two Met Police vehicles were ‘travelling south on Borough High Street responding to an emergency call’.
‘Sirens were activated, and both police vehicles had their emergency lights on,’ the statement said.
‘As the driver of the first police vehicle passed through the junction at Great Suffolk Street and Trinity Street, they were involved in a collision on the road with Mr Clark, who appeared to be crossing the road.
‘The drivers of both police vehicles stopped at the scene and first aid was immediately provided to Mr Clark. Tragically, he was declared deceased at the scene.’
It said it will be carrying out further enquiries this week.
A friend of David’s family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs and bills while they grieve for him.
So far, the family have raised more than £15,000 in donations from friends, family and members of the public.
A day after David’s death, the friend wrote on the fundraising page: ‘Our lovely friend’s husband has been killed in a tragic accident yesterday, leaving a wife and a 7-month-old at home.
‘With no family on this side of the world, this page is to help those who he has left behind.
‘He was supporting his family alone while his wife was taking care of their baby.’
David’s wife, Celene, thanked those who have expressed their ‘compassion and kindness’, adding: ‘Our focus is on caring for our daughter, supporting one another, and honouring David’s life away from public attention.
‘We appreciate the understanding shown during this deeply difficult period.’
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